Maryland HB1272 establishes a kinship care program to prioritize placement of children with relatives or significant others.

Maryland HB1272 revises family law to establish a kinship care program. It defines a kinship caregiver as a relative or significant other who can care for a child in need. The Secretary of Human Services must maintain this program. Local departments must prioritize placing children with kinship caregivers, considering the child's feelings and views. If no kinship caregiver is available, the placement should approximate a family environment, considering factors like proximity to the child's home and culture.

Maryland HB1272 establishes a kinship care program to prioritize placement of children with relatives or significant others.

Maryland HB1272 revises family law to establish a kinship care program. It defines a kinship caregiver as a relative or significant other who can care for a child in need. The Secretary of Human Services must maintain this program. Local departments must prioritize placing children with kinship caregivers, considering the child's feelings and views. If no kinship caregiver is available, the placement should approximate a family environment, considering factors like proximity to the child's home and culture.